Principal Investigator: Dr. Zulfiqar A.Bhutta, Inaugural Robert Harding Chair in Global Child Health at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Toronto, Co-Director of the SickKids Centre for Global Child Health and the Founding Director of the Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health at the Aga Khan University.

The Matiari Preconception and Pregnancy Supplementation (MaPPS) Trial is a large, cluster-randomized, controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of multiple micronutrient (MMN) supplementation provided from preconception among young women (15-24 years of age) in rural Pakistan. MMN are being provided as tablets via lady health workers, and are consistent with UNIMMAP composition. There are three study phases: preconception phase, pregnancy phase, and postpartum phase. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of MMN supplementation provided from preconception on low birth weight, compared to providing the standard of care.